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A BLOG About Wisconsin Criminal & Drunk Driving Defense

United States Versus Defendant - Dismissed

22 July 2008 :: Posted by Attorney Corey Chirafisi

In a case involving possession of crack (423 grams) and possession of a firearm (found in the defendant's trunk), the US District Court (Madison Wisconsin) dismissed the charges just one week prior to trial.

State -vs- Knapp, 2007 WI App 273, 743 NW 2d 481 (Ct App 2007)

27 March 2008 :: Posted by Attorney Corey Chirafisi

Wisconsin Court of Appeals - An appeal from a judgment of the Dane County Circuit Court asked whether a Terry Stop was transformed into a custodial arrest before probable cause existed to arrest Kestler. Successfully argued State -v- Knapp on appeal, which prevents the government from appealing a successful collateral attack of a prior OWI (drunk driving) conviction as a matter of right.

The Wisconsin State Court of Appeals reversed a Dane County Circuit Court 5th offense OWI conviction on grounds that the defendant was placed under arrest without probable cause.

The case is here: State of Wisconsin -v- Knapp

not guilty jury verdict oWI & PAC - Dane County, Madison Wisconsin

24 March 2008 :: Posted by Attorney Corey Chirafisi

My client was erroneously charged with OWI (Wisconsin's drunk driving offense) and PAC (prohibited alcohol content) violation. I know that it had to have been an erroneous charge, because we won a not guilty jury verdict at trial. =)

La Crosse County Rules: Rights Violated, Evidence Suppressed

20 March 2008 :: Posted by Attorney Corey Chirafisi

The La Crosse County Circuit Court ruled on my motions to suppress a blood test result on a .233 5th offense OWI for violation of right to an alternative test.

OWI 1st Dismissed

8 March 2008 :: Posted by Attorney Corey Chirafisi

Columbia County prosecuting attorney charged my client with a 1st OWI. The case was dismissed.

Refusal & Drunk Driving (OWI) 1st Dismissed

8 March 2008 :: Posted by Attorney Corey Chirafisi

My client is an airline pilot, who refused to submit to a blood alcohol content level test. He was charged with a 1st OWI and a Refusal. Today, the prosecuting attorney moved to dismiss both citations!

Other Bad Acts

8 November 2007 :: Posted by Attorney Corey Chirafisi

On Monday, I am going to trial on an Attempted Sexual Assault, Kidnapping and Felony Battery charge. Yesterday, the government attempted to introduce "other acts evidence" against my client. It is an area that is very problematic for people accused of crimes. Prosecutors get to attempt to introduce evidence regarding other bad acts your client has done under the legal theory it goes to intent or motive. The reality is, it shows a jury that he did something before, he must have done it again.

:: Straight Talk ::

6 November 2007 - Posted by Jodi

Throughout this website, you will see notes about :: Straight Talk :: in which Attorney Corey Chirafisi puts the facts in plain English and identifies some of the more frequently asked questions.

Wisconsin Criminal Defense Attorney Corey Chirafisi Publishes BLOG

5 November 2007 :: Posted by Attorney Corey Chirafisi

Attorney Corey Chirafisi is pleased to announce that he has published his website at http://www.chirafisilaw.com He hopes that it will help people understand their rights and how to protect those rights when they have been accused, charged or arrested by a government agency in Wisconsin for a crime or drunk driving offense.

Attorney Corey Chirafisi offers a free initial consultation to anyone who has been accused of a crime or drunk driving, who has been arrested on criminal charges or for driving under the influence, or who has been charged with a Wisconsin crime or OWI. Attorney Chirafisi represents people in both Wisconsin circuit courts and US federal courts in Wisconsin, and in federal courts throughout the nation.

Chirafisi Law Office, S.C. is based in Madison, Wisconsin. For directions and maps, please refer to Chirafisi Law Office.

OWI Dismissed - States Objects to waiving preliminary hearing

19 October 2007 - Posted by Attorney Corey Chirafisi

Yesterday, the court dismissed an OWI charge against my client. The State of Wisconsin objected to waiving a preliminary hearing on the grounds that they felt that they had the right to the hearing. Total joke.

Even when we want a guilty verdict...

17 October 2007 - Posted by Attorney Corey Chirafisi

You see things new everyday. Today, a judge found a client of mine not guilty of drunk driving when I asked him to find the client guilty. It was in municipal court and if we lost, we could appeal and start the whole process over in front of a jury. The court found the Village did not meet their burden of proof and found him not guilty, now the Village can appeal which makes defending the case more difficult.

Whistlestop Marathon

15 October 2007 - Posted by Attorney Corey Chirafisi

I ran in the Whistlestop Marathon over the weekend and thank God it is over. My legs are so very sore. I did see that the Court of Appeals found that reasonable suspicion to pull a vehicle over exists if the police know the owner of the vehicles license is suspended, even though they do not know who is driving the car. I hope it goes up to the Supreme Court, small municipal police are going to have a field day with that one.

Judge John Shabaz Retiring

10 October 2007 - Posted by Attorney Corey Chirafisi

It was in the paper today that Judge John Shabaz was going to assume senior status if the President can appoint his successor prior to January of 2009. This will be the first federal vacancy in 25 years in the Western District of Wisconsin. Judge Shabaz was known for being extremely harsh on federal drug sentences. I had tried various times to get him to reduce the 100 to 1 ratio for powder to crack disparity on cocaine cases and he never agreed. No doubt many attorneys in Madison will be interested in seeing who will be his replacement.

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Contact Attorney Chirafisi - Madison Wisconsin Criminal Defense Lawyer

Corey Chirafisi, Attorney at Law
Chirafisi Law Office, S.C.
10 East Doty Street, Suite 701
Madison, Wisconsin 53703

Telephone: 608.250.3500
Toll-free: 1.866.514.0647